Changes in stigmatising beliefs and help-seeking intentions following a recreational peer-based program for young people affected by military associated parental mental illness
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Williams, V., Deane, F. P., Giles, C., & Knight, L. (2022). Changes in stigmatising beliefs and help-seeking intentions following a recreational peer-based program for young people affected by military associated parental mental illness. Journal of Military and Veterans' Health, 30(3). https://jmvh.org/article/changes-in-stigmatising-beliefs-and-help-seeking-intentions-following-a-recreational-peer-based-program-for-young-people-affected-by-military-associated-parental-mental-illness/
Abstract Created by REACH:
Defence Kids is a 2-day camp for children whose parents are Australian Defence Force Service members or Veterans with a military-related mental illness. The 2-hour intervention component was designed to improve mental health literacy (i.e., ability to identify misconceptions about mental illness) and promote help-seeking intentions among participants. 236 youth reported on mental health literacy and help-seeking intentions before and after the camp and rated their overall camp experience. Generally, mental health literacy improved, and youth were more likely to seek help from a phone helpline after attending Defence Kids.
Focus:
Mental health
Youth
Programming
Branch of Service:
International Military
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Child of a service member or veteran
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Methodology:
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Williams, Virginia, Deane, F. P., Giles, C., Knight, L.
Abstract:
Children living in Defence families affected by parental mental illness face increased stressors, pressure for self-sufficiency and potential exposure to adverse outcomes, including future mental illness. Little is known about the impact of mental health early interventions on the help-seeking tendencies of military young people affected by parental mental illness. Similarly, the responsivity of this cohort to peer-based mental health literacy interventions aimed to dispel misconceptions and stigmatising beliefs about mental illness and help-seeking is not well understood. The current study measured key aspects of belief-related mental health knowledge and intentions to seek help from a range of formal and informal sources of 236 Australian young people aged 7-18 years, living with parents affected by military-associated mental health problems. Findings suggest that young people in the Defence community are most likely to seek help from their parents and show changes in beliefs about mental illness and intentions to seek help from some help sources following a brief (2-hour) group intervention. Help-seeking intentions from telephone helplines increased for the cohort, and males were more inclined to seek help from a friend after intervention.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Australasian Military Medicine Association
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
help-seeking, parental mental health, peer support
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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